Betty Jo Gigot, Editor and Publisher

Glenn Mull’s great grandfather purchased the headquarters section south of Pawnee Rock, Kan., in 1908. Since then, generations of the Mull family have built the business into a far-flung agricultural entity, raising crops, feeding cattle and ranching, among other enterprises. Glenn’s father, Keith, at the age of 83, is still hands-on on a day-to-day basis, and Glenn’s daughter Amy represents the next generation. Amy’s son, Chase, at the age of 5, seems destined to be the sixth generation of the family’s enterprise on the edge of the Arkansas River in the west central part of Kansas.

Mull Farms and feeding today
With five feeding operations and a one-time capacity of 30,000-head, cattle represent a major part of the company, using the smaller yards to background many of the cattle that go on feed at the Pawnee Rock, Haviland and Falun feedyards. Cattle from the Osage ranch graze in improved and native grass before they come to the Kansas site. Crops raised on the 12,000-acre farm include alfalfa for dairy farms as well as corn, soybeans and wheat. Rye pasture is grazed out in advance of planting the newest crop for the farm. Cotton has come to that area of Kansas and is ginned in a nearby gin, which the family promoted and helped finance.

The search for excellence at the Mull operation has obviously been a long-term goal. Part of the original Beef Marketing Group, which was formed years ago to obtain top dollar for finished cattle, Mull and a group of feeders in the area have continually searched for better ways to feed and market cattle.

“It was geographical to begin with,” Glenn Mull said. “We thought there were marketing disadvantages that came from our location.” A group was formed that has now has become one of the showcases for advanced product development in the country.

“The industry changes so fast,” Mull said. “And we wanted to be a part of it.” The company started source and age verifying three years ago and started using individual electronic identification.

A food safety program was initiated with Standard Operating Procedures put into place for feeding and animal health. The SOPs are to be monitored in-house as well as by random outside audits.

“We are changing the way we do business here at the yard,” Mull said. “Within six months, 40 percent of the cattle on feed will be Angus and all natural.” The system is “never, ever,” meaning the cattle have never had antibiotics, hormones and have been given a diet with no animal by-products. In partnership with Certified Angus Beef (CAB) and Tyson Foods, the natural beef is just hitting supermarket shelves.

Mull’s reasons for being a part of the project are simple. He has watched his family through the years, weather the ups and downs of a market that can hit fantastic highs and dismal lows.

“I am tired of the ups and downs of the industry,” Mull said. “I have watched it for generations and do not choose to participate again. With this program, I know the top will be limited, but it will keep the bottom out.”

Attention to detail
Not much gets by the group at Mull Farms and Feeders. Mull became curious about groups of cattle that broke long after they were expected and began testing high-risk cattle for PI/BVD.

“I had looked at the research because I was tired of cattle breaking three or four times in their tenure on the yard. We would have several groups a year. We probably are the only feedyard in the country that have tested cattle on feed for 90 days. After a third break, we tested them and, sure enough, there was a PI/BVD in the group.” What started out as curiosity, turned out to be a real fact-finding mission to him and a part of managing cattle for themselves and their customers.

Amy spends much of her time analyzing carcass information from the processor. With a degree in business and human resource management, she adds another element to the management at the yard.

Glenn’s only regret is that size has become a major part of a company’s ability to be successful. He fondly remembers the small operations that used to be a part of the area, and his friends who came from small farms with a few cows, a few acres and chickens in the front yard, but were able to make a living and educate their children. Still, knowing you can’t go back, Glenn Mull and his family continue to search for realistic ways to use their resources in the best possible way.